AFA Alaska

Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council

Click here to report an issue to AFA
Menu
  • Local Councils
    • Anchorage (Council 30)
      • Officers
      • Committees
    • Los Angeles (Council 18)
      • Officers
      • Committees
    • Portland (Council 39)
      • Officers
      • Committees
    • San Diego (Council 15)
      • Officers
      • Committees
    • Seattle (Council 19)
      • Officers
      • Committees
    • San Francisco (Council 35)
      • Officers
      • Committees

    • More About Local Councils >>
    Close
  • Master Executive Council
    • Officers
    • Close
  • Committees
      • Air Safety, Health, & Security (ASHSC)
        • Air Quality
      • Benefits
      • Communications
      • Employee Assistance Program & Professional Standards
      • Government Affairs
      • Grievance
      • Hotel
      • Human Rights
      • Inflight Service
      • Inflight Training
      • Membership
      • Mobilization
      • Reserve
      • Retirement
      • Scheduling
        • Pairing Construction
        • Preferential Bidding System (PBS)
      • Uniform

    • More About Committees >>
    Close
  • Contract
      • Contract Home
        • Current Contract
        • Ask Contract Questions
      • Contract Resources
        • Read Contract Q&A
        • Explanatory Videos
      • Contract Negotiations
    • Close
  • Resources
      • Issues & Campaigns
      • Newsroom
        • AFA Alaska News Now
        • Message from the MEC President
      • Event Calendar
      • Membership Services
      • New Members
      • About
      • Links
      Close
    • Negotiations
    • Contact Us
    You are here: Home / Latest News / MEC SHSC Uniform Update April 14, 2013: Uniform Reaction Data

    MEC SHSC Uniform Update April 14, 2013: Uniform Reaction Data

    April 17, 2013 11:37

    April 14, 2013

     Dear Flight Attendants,

     As promised, the Master Executive Council (MEC) is sharing the latest statistics regarding health concerns with the TwinHill Flight Attendant uniform. Starting nearly two years ago, AFA began keeping a database of those affected. As of this writing, 597 out of 3113 Flight Attendants have reported some form of health concern correlated with the TwinHill uniform. See the following table for a summary of the types of reactions experienced by those 597 Flight Attendants.

    UNIFORM REACTION DATABASE QUESTIONNAIRE SUMMARY

           

    BODY PARTS & SYSTEMS AFFECTED*

    NUMBER OF REPORTED CASES

    PERCENTAGE BY TOTAL NUMBER OF REPORTED CASES

    PERCENTAGE BY TOTAL NUMBER OF FAs

    597

    3113

    SKIN

    460

    77%

    15%

    EYES

    102

    17%

    3%

    HEAD

    27

    5%

    1%

    RESPIRATORY

    113

    19%

    4%

    CARDIAC

    6

    1%

    0%

    SCALP/HAIR

    69

    12%

    2%

    THYROID

    28

    5%

    1%

    AUTOIMMUNE

    7

    1%

    0%

    FATIGUE

    57

    10%

    2%

    OTHER**

    65

    11%

    2%

    NO DATA ***

    65

    11%

    2%

           

    *REFER TO UNIFORM REACTION DATABASE FOR SYMPTOMS AND MORE DETAILED INFORMATION.

           

    **OTHER: Reproductive/Nausea/Vomiting/Numbness/Tingling/ Odor sensitivity/Gastrointestinal/Liver/Metallic taste/Etc.

           

    ***NO DATA: Reported adverse reaction to uniform but did not provide symptoms.

           

    FACT: CURRENTLY 19% OF OUR FA WORKGROUP HAS REPORTED AN ADVERSE REACTION TO THE TWINHILL UNIFORM.

    You will find three different tables linked below in ‘References’: (1) a uniform reaction database summary (the same as above), (2) the complete uniform reaction database (with identifying information removed of course), and (3) uniform cross contamination survey results. The uniform cross contamination survey results are from responses to a recent survey sent out to everybody in our uniform reaction database. The survey asked those who have transitioned out of the TwinHill uniform to respond. A copy of the the survey can also be found linked below in ‘References’.

      To summarize where we are with the TwinHill uniform, AFA filed a grievance back in November alleging management’s failure to provide a safe and healthy workplace and demanded the recall of the TwinHill uniform. AFA continues to work through the details of this particularly complex grievance. Meanwhile, AFA leadership and members of the Uniform and Safety, Health and Security Committees are working with management to procure a new uniform as quickly as possible. It our understanding that the Uniform Procurement Taskforce is getting closer to selecting a new uniform vendor.

      We hope you will find the data eye-opening and informative. If you are wearing the TwinHill uniform and believe you are experiencing a correlated health issue, send an email to alternateuniform@alaskamec.org for instructions regarding what to do next.

      In solidarity,

      Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Yvette Gesch, Terry Taylor, Melanie Buker, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn and Sandra Morrow

    “Five Bases, One Voice”

    www.alaskamec.org

    References:

    AFA ALA FA Uniform Cross Contamination Survey Mar 2013:

    AFA ALA FA Uniform Cross Reaction Survey Mar 2013

    AFA ALA FA Uniform Cross Contamination Survey Results Apr 2013:

    AFA ALA FA UNIFORM CROSS CONTAMINATION SURVEY RESULTS Apr 2013

    AFA ALA FA Uniform Reaction Database Apr 2013:

    AFA ALA FA UNIFORM REACTION DATABASE Apr 2013

    AFA ALA FA Uniform Reaction Database Summary Apr 2013:

    AFA ALA FA UNIFORM REACTION DATABASE SUMMARY Apr 2013

    AFA International Press Release: “Union Demands Recall of Uniforms and Files Grievance Alleging Management’s Failure to Provide a Safe and Healthy Workplace”:

    110912 ALA UNIFORM.doc – 110912 ALA UNIFORM

    Print Friendly, PDF & Email

    Filed Under: Latest News

    Need Help?

    Have an issue or concern to report to AFA?  Click here to access the AFA Alaska online support center.

    Connect with Us on Facebook

    Connect with Us on Facebook

    Follow Us on Twitter

    Tweets by AFAAlaska

    Instagram

    Latest news from our Negotiating Committee about Session 11 of contract negotiations, including a TA on LOA 5: Sick Family/Sick Child, discussion on Leaves of Absence, General - Association, and Training, and updates on current progress.
    Members of our Master Executive Council (MEC) and other AFA Representatives will attend the AFA Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting next week. The BOD meeting is where business affecting all AFA airlines is conducted. Your LEC President is your representative at the BOD meeting and will be voting on your behalf regarding the approval of the AFA International budget. If you have any questions about the BOD meeting, please contact your LEC President.
    As an AFA and CWA Member, you and/or certain eligible dependents have the opportunities for at least two different scholarships. An additional opportunity, the Union Plus Free College Benefit, offers the ability to earn a degree with no out of pocket expense for tuition, fees, and e-books. Check out the links below for eligibility requirements, application information, and other important details for each opportunity.
    Our AFA EAP/Professional Standards Committee (Members helping Members) seeks to assist Members, their families, and partners experiencing personal and work-related problems that could or are affecting their health and well-being on and off the job. Our EAP committee is a Union-sponsored support service provided by Flight Attendants for Flight Attendants, their families, and partners. EAP Peer Representatives are trained to provide three distinct but interrelated services: Assessment, Support, and Referral Services; Professional Standards; and Critical Incident Response.
    Our AFA Government Affairs Committee met with their representatives on Capitol Hill and urged them to pass the FAA Reauthorization Bill. This bill will improve aviation safety and conditions onboard the aircraft for flight crew and passengers. Top priorities discussed with Congress include cabin air safety, and stopping disruptive passenger abuse towards crew members and gate agents.
    Our AFA Reserve Committee Chairpersons met on Thursday, March 9 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent and advocate for our Reserve Flight Attendants. The Committee also met with management to review a number of specific concerns that were brought forward by Flight Attendants. Your Local Reserve Committee is available to answer questions, provide clarification, or help to resolve any reserve related issues. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

    Latest News

    • AFA Alaska News in Review – March 24, 2023
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – March 17, 2023
    • Upcoming 2023 AFA Board of Directors Meeting
    • 2023 College Scholarship Opportunities
    • EAP/Professional Standards Committee News – March 2023
    • Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2023
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – March 10, 2023
    • Help Support SkyWest Flight Attendant Organizing in LAX & SAN!
    • April 2023 Bidding – Analyzer Tool Error
    • March 2023 MEC Meeting Recap

    Upcoming 2023 AFA Board of Directors Meeting

    March 16, 2023

    Master Executive Council (MEC) Next week, our Master Executive Council (MEC) Officers, Local Executive Council (LEC) Presidents, and many other LEC Officers and Committee Chairs will be attending the 50th Annual AFA Board of Directors (BOD) meeting being held virtually. They will join representatives from the other airlines that make up AFA to conduct the business of […]

    2023 College Scholarship Opportunities

    March 16, 2023

    AFA International As an AFA and CWA Member, you and/or certain eligible dependents have the opportunities for at least two different scholarships for the pursuit of higher education.  The time for applying is now! Brought to you by our Union, these benefits of union membership have become very popular with Members.  Please see the respective links for […]

    EAP/Professional Standards Committee News – March 2023

    March 15, 2023

    EAP/Professional Standards Committee Our AFA EAP/Professional Standards Committee (Members helping Members) seeks to assist Members, their families, and partners experiencing personal and work-related problems that could or are affecting their health and well-being on and off the job. Our EAP committee is a Union-sponsored support service provided by Flight Attendants for Flight Attendants, their families, […]

    Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2023

    March 13, 2023

    Reserve Committee On Thursday, March 9, representatives from our AFA Local Reserve Committees met to discuss their ongoing work to advocate for Reserve Flight Attendants. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), Teran Eason (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Meghan Casey (SFO), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Rebecca Garcia (SAN).  Also present was MEC Reserve […]

    Help Support SkyWest Flight Attendant Organizing in LAX & SAN!

    March 10, 2023

    AFA International SkyWest Flight Attendants are organizing to form their Union and join AFA-CWA! Help support their efforts by joining in an upcoming SkyWest AFA “Concourse Chats” visibility event. The goal of the events is to engage 1-on-1, in-person and have conversations with SkyWest Flight Attendants to learn their issues and priorities and invite them […]

    Response to the November 18th Inflight Town Hall Webcast

    November 18, 2022 By Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    California meal & rest breaks Management’s continued scare tactics and speculative “what-if’s” as put forward during the Inflight Town Hall webcast today regarding California meal & rest breaks are unnecessary and extremely disappointing. Although it is true there are some challenging aspects of compliance with California meal & rest break laws for commercial aviation, AFA […]

    ALPA Alaska Approves Tentative Agreement for Pilot Ratification

    September 23, 2022 By Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    Master Executive Council (MEC) President Jeffrey Peterson The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Alaska Airlines leadership recently announced they approved a tentative agreement (TA) with Alaska Airlines management for pilot ratification. Click here for the Alaska Airlines Pilots TA Quick Guide (September 2022) > At a quick glance, the TA contains impressive improvements to scope, […]

    Masks Are No Longer Required in Airports or Onboard

    April 18, 2022 By Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    The CDC and TSA report the federal mask mandate is no longer in effect after today’s court ruling. Additionally, Alaska Airlines management just announced via multiple channels that the mask mandate is lifted effective immediately on all aircraft.

    RSS Negotiations News

    • Negotiation Session 11
    • Negotiation Session 10
    • Negotiation Session 9
    • Negotiation Session 8
    • Negotiation Session 7
    • What commuter improvements can we expect?
    • The commitment from management on industry leading pay is great news! However, pay rates are only part of the picture – are we sacrificing work rules and benefits for leading pay rates?
    • Can you clarify the pay components included in our Opening Proposal (Ground, Flight, Delay, Stranded)?
    • Negotiation Session 6
    • Negotiation Session 5

    Recent Posts

    • AFA Alaska News in Review – March 24, 2023
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – March 17, 2023
    • Upcoming 2023 AFA Board of Directors Meeting
    • 2023 College Scholarship Opportunities
    • EAP/Professional Standards Committee News – March 2023
    • Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2023
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – March 10, 2023
    • Help Support SkyWest Flight Attendant Organizing in LAX & SAN!
    • April 2023 Bidding – Analyzer Tool Error
    • March 2023 MEC Meeting Recap

    Local Councils

    • Anchorage
    • Los Angeles
    • Portland
    • San Diego
    • San Francisco
    • Seattle

    Master Executive Council

    • MEC

    Negotiations

    • Contract 2022 Home
    • Negotiating Committee
    • Negotiations Feedback
    • Negotiations News
    • Negotiations Process

    Contract

    • Contract Home

    Committees

    • Air Safety, Health, & Security
    • Benefits
    • Communications
    • EAP/Professional Standards
    • Government Affairs
    • Grievance
    • Hotel
    • Human Rights
    • Inflight Service
    • Mobilization
    • Reserve
    • Retirement
    • Scheduling
    • Uniform

    News By Month

    News By Category

    AFA Alaska News Now Air Quality Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) AS/VX Merger Benefits Committee Committees Communications Committee Contract Contract 2014 Negotiations Blog Council 15 SAN Council 18 LAX Council 19 SEA Council 30 ANC Council 35 SFO Council 39 PDX EAP/Professional Standards Committee Extension 2021 Blog Featured Government Affairs Committee Grievance Committee Hotel Committee Human Rights Committee Industry News Inflight Service Committee Inflight Training Committee JNC Blog Latest News Local Councils Master Executive Council (MEC) Message from the MEC President Mobilization Committee Negotiations Pairing Construction Preferential Bidding System (PBS) Press Releases Reserve Committee Retirement Committee Scheduling Committee Uniform Committee
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Want To Stay In The Loop?

    The best way to stay connected with up-to-date AFA Alaska news and information is through a subscription to AFA Alaska emails!  Click the button below to sign up.  Already a subscriber?  You can make changes to your email by clicking below!
    Sign Up

    Connect With AFA

    • Contact Us
    • Online Support Center
    • AFA International
    • CWA
    • AFA Alaska Social Media Guidelines
    • AFA-CWA Mutual Respect Policy

    Copyright © 2013-2023 Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO